Concrete placement machine



June 8, 1965 w. A. STRONG CONCRETE PLACEMENT MACHINE Filed March 20, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 w. A. STRONG 3,188,145

CONCRETE PLACEMENT MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 8, 1965 Filed March 20, 1963 W. A. STRONG CONCRETE PLACEMENT MACHINE Jlme s, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 20, 1963 June 8, 1965 CONCRETE PLACEMENT MACHINE Filed March 20, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 w. A. sTRoN G 3,188,145

.in upright position and in side by side relation.

and batile.

United States PatentOlice 3,l88,l45 Patented June 8, 1965 Filed Mar. as, 196s, ser. No. 266,636 4 organs. (ci. soz- 53) This invention .relates to improvements in a portable machine for moving wet concrete from a supply sgtation to a building location, and more particularly to a machine of this kind in which delivery of the wet concrete is effected by air pressure which is'eventually bled off to obtain the low velocity discharge necessary for proper placement of wet concrete.

Machines of this general character have been known for many years but the instant improvements in arrangement, and control, enhance the efiiciency and portability of such machines so as to extend their usefulness.

Itis one of the objects of this invention to provide a machine of this kind which will deliver a continuous supply of wet concrete to a desired loca-tion with less expenditure of time, effort and cost than prior machines for this purpose.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a machine of this kind which will deliver and deposit a continuous sup-ply of Wet concrete at a desired location to which it would be impractical, or impossible, to deliver by wheeled vehicle.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a machine of this kind which will deposit wet concrete with minimum impact velocity so as to avoid interference with adjacent finishing operations being performed on the laid concrete.

According to this invention, the supply station has a pair of vertical hoppers with hinged covers mounted on a simple form of main frame suitable for transport on a wheeled vehicle. This frame locates the hoppers The hoppers are individually connected at the top` of each to a source of compressed air. Each hopper has a spout at its lower end with an opening which connects with a nozzle of similar size extending at an angle with respect to the spout. One end of each nozzle projects beyond the connection with its spout and is supplied with compressed air. The other end of each nozzle tapers in diameter beyond the spout to a delivery end of reduced size. Each delivery end is connected to a shuttle type of valve mechanism which, when actuated, alternately connects one nozzle to the upstream end of a flexible delivery line and closes a gate in the other. Valve actuation may be by compressed air. The downstream end of the flexible delivery line discharges into a delivery nozzle having an expansion plenum chamber vented to atmosphere, a bathe-like wall, and a spout downstream of the chamber The delivery nozzle Vhas a portable frame support to act as a stand. Y

. Also mounted on the main frame is a control console covers, charge the hoppers and nozzles, `and actuate the shuttle valve.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will Vappear from the following detailed description which is in such clear, concise, and exact terms as will enable fluid control system mounted on the portable frame structure of FIG. 1; l

FIG. 3 is a topv plan view of the shuttle valve andV its supporting framework shown in FIG.' l;

'von which are the various valves to open and close the FIG. 4 is a front elevation'of-the sub-framework and shuttle valve shown in FIG. 3;

fFIG. 5 is an end view looking in the direction from the right side of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is aview in side elevation of the discharge nozzle;

IFIG. 8 is a top plan view of the discharge nozzle; and

FIG. 9 is a view in rear elevation of the discharge nozzle.

Referring now specilically to FIG. l, the portable equipment at the supply station is supported on a main frame 1, which in this case is provided with a suitable running gear and wheels 2 at the rear to permit the frame to be towed. At the forward end of the vframe 1 is a collapsible wheel strut 4, such as often provided on trailer type vehicles. It will be understood that the frame 1 comprises spaced apart members extending lengthwise of the vehicle and transverse members suitably positioned to reinforce the lengthwise extending members. Between the longitudinally extending members of the vehicle formed by the frame 1 is supported a pair of hoppers 7 and S which will be described more in detail hereinafter. The lower end of these hoppers 7 and 8 are connected by spouts 10 and 11 with nozzles 12 and 13. The discharge end of these nozzles connects with a shuttle valve, generally indicated as 15, provided with a hose coupling connection 16.V The shuttle valve and nozzles are Vsupported on a suitable sub-frame 3.

At the rear of the sub-frame of the frame 1 is a console 20 located adjacent a platform 21. On the console 20 are grouped a series of controls, generally indicated as 22. The operator of the supply station stands on the platform 21 and supervises the operation of these controls 22. The manner and nature of these controls and their function will lbe described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the hoppers, spouts, nozzles and shuttle valve together with the pneumatic control for each of these elements. Since both of these hoppers are identical, only one will be described in detail, it being understood that the same description will p `tlanges are suitably secured together by welding or by bolts. The outlet in the ange 25 and the inner diameter of the spout I0 are preferably of like diameter. In order to give an idea of the proportions of these parts, ap'- proximate dimensions will be applied, but these dimensions are merely for the purpose of illustration. Thus, the internal diameter of the opening in the ange 25 and of the Vinside of the spout 10 is approximately 6 inches. At the upper end of the conical portion 24 is a cylindrical portion 27 which is approximately 42 inches in inside diameter. This portion is surrounded by a framework of channel iron Z8 which provides for the support of the hopper Within the frame 1, above described. T-he top ofthe hopper 7 is also round and tapers inwardly from the cylindrical portion 27 as at Z9 to a flat top surrounded by a hollow ring-shaped manifold 30 which completely surrounds the upper portion of the hopper 7.

` Manifold 30. has nozzles, such as 31 and 32, connected to the interior of the manifold and projecting inside the hopper 7. An upstanding neck 35 projects upwardly from the manifold and forms a circular charging opening 36 closed by the cover t)37. The inside of the cover 37 is suitably contoured to seat upon the circular opening 35 of the neck 35 and may be provided with a circular gasket which may be clamped between the cover 37 and the upper end of the neck 35. The particular manner of sealing the cover over the charging opening 36 by the use of gaskets, or the like, forms no par-t of the instant invention and is well understood by those skilled in the art.

Clamped to the top of the cover 3'? by the structure di? is a hinge bar di hinged at a point 4t2 on an upstanding bracket 43 secured to the top of the hopper 7 carrying the manifold Sti. The bar 4l has a T-shaped end ld which carriesv the pivot 42 at one end and a pivotal connection d to the end 47 of piston rod 4d. Piston rod l is slidably mounted in the end of a cylinder 59 of an air motor and carries the usual piston for propelling the piston rod 48 outwardly and inwardly of the cylinder Sti. A hinge connection 52 supports the air motor 5@ on the cylindrical portion 27 of the hopper 7. Suitable air connections 54 and 55 on cylinder 5) provide for operation of the piston within the air motor 5G and extension or retraction of the piston rod 48 which in turn lifts, or-lowers, the cover 37 from the charging opening 36 of the hopper 7.

On the opposite side of the hop-per '7 is an upstanding bracket 57 secured to the top of the hopper carrying the manifold Sti. A pivotal connection 5S hingedly mounts a clevis 59 for swinging movement about the pivot 53. A pin '60 mounted in the opposite sides of the clevis 59 carries a cam 6l secured to the pin 6d to rotate therewith. Latching lever 62 is non-rotatably secured to the pin so that on movement of the latching lever, pin 60 will rotate moving the cam ed against the cam surface 64 on the end of the hinged ybar 4d. Latching lever 6.2 has a pin connection 66 to the end 67 of a piston rod 68. Latching lever o2 is capable of rotation on the pin 66, but its pivotal rotation in one direction is restrained by a spring 69 connected between the end of the latching lever o2 and the finger '70 carried by the end of the piston 67. Piston rod 68 is slida-ble within the air cylinder '72 and is propelled inwardly and outwardly thereof by a suitable piston fixed on the piston rod 68, all in the usual manner. A pin connection 74 provides for rotation of the air cylinder 'i2 on a bracket fixed to the cylindrical portion 27 of the hopper 7. Air cylinder '72 includes connections 76 and 78 for supplying and exhausting the air from the cylinder 72, and thus Operating on the piston to move the piston rod 63. On downward movement of the piston rod 6%, latch bar `62 is first rotated in a direction to release the engagement :between the cam till and the cam surface 64-, thereafter further downward movement of the piston rod 61S rotates clevis 59 around pivot to disengage from theend of the hinge bar After the latch has been released, the cover 37, can be hinged upwardly by supplying power to the air cylinder Si) to retract the piston rod 53 causing the cover 37 to hinge around the pin ft2 on bracket 43. The cover 37 is closed by supplying air tothe cylinder 5t) on the opposite side of the piston therein to extend the piston rod 4S. After the cover 37 is closed, power is supplied to the cylinder 72 to extend the piston rod orti. The spring connection 69 is sufficiently strong to rotate the clevis 59 about the pin 5S into the position shown in FIG. 2. rthereafter further extension of the piston rod 68 rotates the latch 62 and the cam til to clamp the hinge bar and cover 37 forcibly to the charging opening 36. Spring 69 will expand providing for the desired rotational movement of the latch bar 62 and cam titl. ln other words, the force generated by the air motor 72 overcomes the tension of the spring 69 Vcharacter with a prime on the nozzle i3.

and rotation of the latch bar o2 takes place about the pin 66.

Nozzles .l2 and 13 are both constructed in an identical manner and similar parts will .be indicated by the reference character on one nozzle 12 and by the same reference Nozzle 12 has a cylinder portion 39 projecting in one direction from the spout l@ and a convergent portion 32 projecting from the opposite side ofthe spout lil. The cylinder portion Sti is approximately 6 inches in inside diameter and has a connection 83 for an air supply line. Each of the nozzles l2 and i3 are connected at their opposite ends beyond the convergent portions 32 and S2 with a pair of side by side apertures in a nozzle plate 85 of a shuttle valve. The maximum diameter of these apertures is 4 inches, although their shape is slightly elliptical. The openings in the nozzle plate S5 of the shuttle valve, generally indicated as 1S, are alternately connected with a cylindrical coupling 16 approximately 4 inches in internal diameterand threaded at its end Vfor connection with a flexible hose of the same diameter. Coupling 16 connects with a valve plate 9d reciprocating on the nozzle plate 85 and moved on the nozzle plate 85 by an air motor 9.1 which has a piston 92 connected with the coupling lo. lA-ir motork9l has a pair of connections 94 and 96 to an air supply for forcing the piston of the air motor 9i in one direction or Ithe Vother on the nozzle plate 85. Valve plate 9d, as it moves, closes one of the apertures in the nozzle plate 85 and connects the coupling 16 with `the other, and this is true whether in one position or the other of the shuttle valve 15, whichever nozzle is connected with the coupling 16, the other is closed by the valve plate 99.

The construction above described provides for substantially continuous flow from the coupling 16 into a connecting hose. This is so because there is substantially a constant supply of wet concrete available. While the hopper 7 is being discharged, the hopper 8 can be charged and ready to 'oe cut into operation by the shuttle valve 15 when the supply of concrete is exhausted from vthe hopper 7. The shuttle valve 15 provides the means whereby one hopper can be discharged and another charged at the saine time and then cut into operation so as to keepthe ilow of wet concrete continuous. Usually a hopper is filled only to the top of the cylindrical portion 27 which leaves this large area substantially 42 i inches in diameter, in this instance, to act as a piston to discharge the hopper. When the hopper is filled to this point, the friction is a maximum but the piston area is also a maximum. As the hopper is gradually discharged, the level of concrete passes into the tapered portion Z4 and the size of the piston surface provided by the wet concrete gradually decreases in area with the decrease in friction due to decrease in weight of the concrete within the hopper. It should be kept in mind that this is one of the important features of this invention, that is, that piston area provided by the wet concrete in each hopper decreases with the decrease in weight of Wet concrete within a hopper.

The equipment at the charging zone, namely, the hoppers '7 and 8, are provided withan air system for discharging the hoppers and delivering the concrete through the nozzles to the coupling and any hoses attached thereto. Since both air supply systems for each hopper are the same, only one will be described. Thus, the air discharging system for the hopper 7 includes a supply line from a suitable 'source of compressed air. Air pressures in the range of 20 to l0() p.s.i. are recommended for this specific equipment described. Connected with ,the line lil@ is a gauge 10i, the purpose of which will be hereinafterdesc'ribed. Line 166 connects with a plenum chamber, or manifold, 102 and extending from this manifold is a hopper charging line 104. In the line 104, there is a control valve 106 and a gauge 107. Line 104 conveys ram air to the manifold 30, heretofore described. and

Vlar mix of aggregates.

from this manifold through the nozzles 31 and 32 into the hopper. Line 105 connects with the connection 83 on the cylinder 80 and conveys ram air to this cylinder from manifold 2. The line 105 has a control valve 103.

Connected to manifold 102 are a pair of lines 150 and 152 controlled by valves 153 and 154 respectively which are in turn connected to mixing inlets at spaced points along the side of convergent nozzle 82. Similar lines for the other hopper system are indicated by the same reference character with a prime added.

While the hopper 7 is being charged with wet concrete, both valves 103 and 106 are closed, but after the charging operation has been completed, both of these valves are opened. Compressed air then flows through the supply line 100 past the control valve 110, which is preferably partially open, to the manifold 102. When both valves 103 and 106 are open, air pressure is conveyed to the upper surface of the Wet concrete within the hopper 7 and acts upon the exposed concrete as a piston Y the convergent nozzle 82 to the coupling 16 and hose connected therewith. Some mixing of air from the line 105 into the wet concrete in the nozzle 12 will take place, since air pressure tends to ll any possible voids in its tendency to escape.

After shuttle valve is shifted to the position shown in FIG. 2, valves 153 and 1,54 are opened and air under pressure flows through lines 150 and 152 into convergent nozzle 82. This added supply of air under pressure not only augments the action of air pressure from line 105, but has a mixing function as Well. Air supplied through line 150 to the inlet in nozzle 82 agitates the mix to reduce the size of any slugs to produce an even consistency in the mix. ,The primary function of the inlet connected with line 152 is to reduce the density of the mix. mixing of air and concrete will have an emulsifying effect tending to reduce the friction and resistance of the concrete to ow through the restriction 82,A and this restriction, or convergent portion, has the effect of minimizing, or controlling, the emulsication. It will be understood that the gauges 101 and-107, together with the,

valves 103, 106, 110, 153 and 154, are located on the console Where they are readily available for control and inspection by the operator. l

By adjusting these several valves, 103, 106, 110, 153, 154, especially the latter, 154, the amount of air injected at the end of the convergent nozzle 82 may be controlled to maintain the fbest ratio of air to concrete for a particu- Of course, when pressure in the hopper is increased to increase the flow rate by opening valves 110 and/or 106, it may be necessary, in some instances, to increase the amount of air injected, at the con- The vergent nozzle 82 to maintain a constant hydrostatic pressure in the lines to thenozzle and thev desired Vpressure gradient in the system to increase the rate of Vflow of concrete. Y,

As the height of. pour increases, pressure in the air charging andY mixing lines must be increased, or the` a-mount of air injected must be increased, to maintain the rate of ilow at a given tank pressure (air supply pressure). The ratio of air to concrete determines the hy- 'drostatic pressures required for a given height of pour.

For example, the hydrostatic delivery pressureffor a 100 foot column of concrete would be approximately 105 p.s.i. as compared to 43 p.s.i. forwater. Adding 50 percent volumeof air to thevolume of the column of conabout one-half or 52.5 p.s.i.

,As each hopper delivery is started, it is desirable to supply air through all of the lines 104, 105, 1.50 and 152.

`line 119.

This is necessary because during the iilling of the hopper, the concrete tends to completely ll the system all the way to the shuttle valve 15. In other words, the lill tends to be solid all the way to the shuttle valve 15. In order to get the necessary air Vdilution throughout this solid mass of concrete, injection of air at spaced locations along nozzle 82 is required. After movement of the mass begins, it is possible then to decrease air delivery in line 152. The Vprimary purpose served by line 152 is to attain initial movement in the system after the shuttle valve 15 has been opened.

Connected with the air supply line is a bypass line with branches 112 connecting the source of air pressure directly to the lines and 105'. A valve 114 and avalve 114 is located in each branch. These valves are also located on the console 20 and are used to individually blow out each nozzle and for emptying the hose connected therewith when the machine is shut down.

There is also an air control system for latching and unlatching the covers 37 and 37 and opening and closing the covers. 'This control system has an air supply 118 connected directly to the line 100 through a supply In the supply line 119 is a master control valve 120 which in turn controls the flow of air under pressure to a main line 122 connected to the latch operatorvalve and the cover operator valve. Since duplicate sets of valves are provided for each hopper 7 and 8, only one ,set of valves and their connections will be described.

Similar parts in the other valves and connections will be indicated by the same reference Vcharacters with prime added.

The main supply line 122 is branched at 123 to connect With a latch operator valve 125 and a cover operator valve 126. VBoth of these valves are three-way valves of conventional design and their operation and construction are well-known in the art. Extending from the valve 125 are a pairof lines 127 and 129, the former of which connects at 78 on the cylinder 72, and the latter of which connects at the connection 76 on the cylinder 72. Likewise, the valve 126 controls a pairof lines 128 and 130 which are in turn connected with the connection 55 and the connection 54, respectively, on the cylinder 50. Both valves 125 and 126 operate in the same manner. Thus, for example, in the neutral position the valve 125 closes all `of its connecting lines. When the valve 125 is moved from this neutral position in one direction, it connects line 129 with an exhaust port in the valve and connects line 127 to line 122 supplying pressure through the line to cylinder 72 in the direction to operate the latch to hold the hinge bar 41 clamped downwardly. When the valve is moved in the opposite direction from the neutral position, it connects the line 127 to the exhaust port and connects line 129 with main supply line 122 so as to move the piston in the cylinder 72 in a direction to release the latch and swing the latch outwardly from the end of the hinge` bar 41. Thereafter, valve 126 is moved in a direction 'to connect line 130 to pressure and exhaust line 128 which in turn moves the piston within the cylinder 50 to There is a third air system for control of the shuttle valve 15 and this system is also connected to be supplied .through the main supply line 119` to a valve shifter control valve Vand thence to two branches 141'and 142. These branches are connected respectively to the connections 94 and 96 of the cylinder 91. The valve 140 is also a three-Way valve of the type heretofore explained. Valves 125,125', 126, 126 and 140 are all located convenientlyon the console 20.

The construction of the shuttle valve 15 is best shown in FIGS. 3through 6, inclusive. Sub-frame 3, which depends from and is supported by the main frame 1,- carries the shuttle valve `15. On the sub-frame 3 are a pair ,of transverse brace members of channel iron'150 and 1,51. These `arewelded at their opposite ends to the dependingV sub-frame 3 and rigidly supported thereon.

'web welded to the web of the channel 151).

Across the out board ends of the members and 151 is welded an upstanding channel 153, and the upper ange of the channel 153 carries a slidable bearing plate 154. An angle iron 155 has one flange thereof secured to the underside of the bearing plate 154! and its other flange disposed against the vertical web of the channel 153. Along the other forward edge of the bearing plate 154 is secured a second angle iron 157 which in turn has its horizontal flange disposed against and secured to the bottom of the bearing plate 154 and its vertical flange disposed to ride along the edge of the flange of the channel 153. A strip 153 on the vertical flange of the angle iron 157 underlies the flange on the channel 153 and is secured to the vertical web of the angle iron 157 so as to retain the plate 154 firmly in position to slide lengthwise of the channel 153. Coupling 16 is welded to the upper surface of the bearing plate 154 as at 164), as shown in FIG. 4.

The nozzles 82 and 82', as shown in FiG. 3 and FG. 6, are welded into apertures located side by side on the nozzle plate 85. Secured along the lower edge of the nozzle plate 85 and bolted thereto is a bracket st rip 162 which in turn has its lower edge welded or otherwise secured to one flange of a channel iron 164 in such a manner as to support the nozzle plate 85 on edge on the Web of the inverted channel iron 164-. Preferably the upper edge of the bracket strip 162 is secured to the nozzle plate 85 by a series of bolts, or studs, 163. Disposed in face to face engagement with the nozzleplate 35 is a slidable valve plate 9i) carrying the coupling 16. Coupling 16 is welded within a hole Vin the valve plate 90. At the upper and lower edges of the valve plate are guideways 166 and 168. These guideways are secured to the nozzle plate 85 and carry bearing strips 17@ and 172 disposed in face to face engagement with the Valve plate 96 and held in position by adjusting screws 174 and 176 threaded through holes in the flange portions of the guides 168 and 166. If the valve plate is of steel, then the bearing strips 171i and 172 are preferably of brass. There is also a bearing strip in the form of a brass plate 173 disposed along the lower edge of the valve plate 96 and held securely in the guide 168 so as to form a bearing for the lower edge of the valve plate 9). Y

The inverted channel 164 has its opposite ends supported on, and welded to, the inverted channels 150 and 151. On the upper surface Vof the channel 164 adjacent one end is a fixed bracket 181 apertured to receive a pin 182. The pin 132 in turn attaches the clevis 153 which straddles the bracket 181. A cylinder 91 of the shuttle valve 15 is anchored by the clevis 183 to a fixed position. Piston rod 184 of the cylinder 91 in turn carries a clevis 185 straddling the end of a bar 186 and pinned thereto at 187 by a pin held in apertures in the clevis and end of the bar 186. The opposite end of the bar 136 is welded, or otherwise suitably secured, to the coupling member 16. On the opposite side of the coupling 16 from the bar 186 is a bracket 18S with upper and lower flanges welded to the side of the coupling 16. Secured to the vertical web of the bracket 18S is a plate 189 having a threaded hole for receiving the threaded end of the positioning rod 196. Jam nut 191 locks the positioning rod securely in place in its threaded hole. The opposite end of the positionling rod is received in a tube 193 welded to an upstanding bracket 194 of channel-shaped cross-section which has its The threaded end of the positioning rod 19t) carries a pair of nuts 195 and 196. The nut 195 is useful to adjust the alignment between the coupling 16 Aand the opening in the nozzle plate receiving the nozzle S2. The nut 196 is a jam nut.

From the above description, it will be apparent that the shuttle valve 15 is provided with suitable adjustment and support to perform its function. Power actuation of the shuttle valve 15 is from the air cylinder 91, and it should be noted that the pin connection 182 mounting this air cylinder is off center so far as the piston rod 154 is concerned. This feature will compensate for the uneven frictional load above and below the coupling 16. As the coupling 16 moves with the valve plate 90, it causes the coupling 16 to register first with the outlet from the nozzle 82 and then with the outlet from the nozzle 82. During its movement in either direction, it closes one opening while opening the other. The end of the coupling 16 is threaded to receive a flexible hose of rubberlike material which conveys the wet concrete to the'nozzle shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

The wet concrete lflowing through the hose 206 joined to the end of the coupling 16 iiows to a nozzle, such as shown in the latter mentioned views of the drawing.

, The outlet end of the hose has a coupling bolted to the nozzle at a flange 201 so as to form a continuous passage for the wet concrete. The internal diameter of coupling, hose and nozzle opening is uniform, and, in this instance, four inches. The nozzle itself has a diffuser section extending from adjacent the flange 201 to a section 203 adjacent the elbow 294-. From this maximum diameter, the nozzle again tapers to an outlet end 205 which can be made about 6 inches in diameter. Near the end of the diffuser section is the vent pipe 207, preferably made of i fittings and nipples of one and a half inch pipe. As the concrete flows into the diffuser area of the nozzle, the character ofthe flow changes from full stream to channel, and, since the diffuser section is not full of concrete under this type of fiow, air can bleed olf through the vent 207. Air pressure is consequently reduced at this point so as to minimize the explosive force acting on the concrete due to expansion of air under pressure within the discharge portion 206 of the nozzle. If there remains at the vent some trapped air under pressure, the expansion of the trapped air Within the Wet concrete at this point will simply cause a local discharge of high velocity against the end of the nozzle 266 at the elbow 204. Air pressure will then be dissipated, and discharge through the nozzle outlet 265 will be due solely to gravity.

The nozzle is provided with suitable supporting frameworks, such as 210 and 211, to form stand portions 212 and 213 for supporting the nozzle above the building structure and to provide hand holds at the top of the frames 210 and 211 by which the discharge nozzle may be moved manually in a progressive manner as the concrete is laid. This frame has brace members, such as 214 and 215, welded to the side of the discharge nozzle to brace the frame 216.- Similar brace members 217 and 218 are provided to brace the frame 211. i"

The above described portable equipment can be transferred from job to job and readily set-up. It is especially useful in delivering wet concrete to elevations above the hoppers, especially to roof structures or floor structures whlch may be several stories from the ground. Provided adequate supply service of wet concrete is available, the delivery of the equipment can be continuous. There is no wa1t'betweenV batches. Although air pressures used in multi-story building work may be toward the upper limits of the equipment, nevertheless, the delivery from the nozzle is at velocities due to gravity only.

(.)hanges in and modifications ofthe construction described may be made without departing from the spirit of Vmy invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and deslred to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for moving wet concrete mixes or the like from a supply station toa building area ata remote l 2. The combination as defined in claim 1 in which each (3) a shuttle valve at the discharge end of said nozzle selectively operable to keep one nozzle closed while connecting another to an outlet, o

(4) a flexible conduit having an inlet end attached to said outlet and an open discharge end remote from said outlet, Y

(5) a discharge nozzle on the open discharge end of said conduit having anr upwardly inclined diffuser section with an air vent ou the top of said diffuser `section adjacent its downstream end, and

(6) means for delivering said wet mix to said diffuser section in a solid stream at a rate to partially ll said diffuser section and vent the air pressure in the stream.

means for raising and lowering said cover when released by said clamping means.

3. The combination dened in claim 1 including a vehicle on which said pressure vessels and shuttle valve are mounted, a control console located on said vehicle,

pressure connections for said pressure vessels, and controls on said console for said pressure connections.

4. In a machine for moving wet concrete mixes or the like from a supply station to a building area at a remote location with respect to said supply station, the improvement comprising,

(1) a pair of vessels containing the mix under pressure and formed by round hoppers tapered at their discharge ends to connect with individual discharge spouts,

(2) pressurized nozzles connected with said spouts individually and said spouts having discharge ends located `side by side,

(3) valve means at the discharge end of said spouts selectively operable to discharge from one of said pressure vessels at a time to an outlet common to both of said vessels,

(4) a flexible conduit connected at its inlet end to said outlet common to both of said vessels,

(5) a discharge nozzle connected to the outlet end of said flexible conduit,

(6) a diuser section in said discharge nozzle mounted in a stand to be inclined upwardly toward its discharge end,

(7) a vent at the upper side of said diffuser section adjacent its discharge end,

(8) means for delivering a solid stream of mix to the discharge nozzle at a rate to partially lill said diffuser section, and

(9) a gravity discharge spout connected to said diffuser section.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,935,843 11/33 Goebels 302-53 2,615,693 10/52 Matirko 302-53 2,828,164 3/,58 Spence 302-16 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

ANDRES H. NIELSEN, Examiner. 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR MOVING WET CONCRETE MIXES OR THE LIKE FROM A SUPPLY STATION TO A BUILDING AREA AT A REMOTE LOCATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID SUPPLY STATION, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING, (1) A PAIR OF VESSELS CONTAINING THE MIX UNDER PRESSURE AND FORMED BY ROUND HOPPERS TAPERED AT THEIR DISCHARGE ENDS TO CONNECT TO INDIVIDUAL DISCHARGE SPOUTS (2) A PLURALITY OF NOZZLES CONNECTED WITH SAID SPOUTS INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF EACH OF AND SPOUTS, SAID NOZZLES BEING CONNECTED WITH A SOURCE OF AIR UNDER PRESSURE AND ARRANGED TO DELIVER AIR UNDER PRESSURE AT SPACED LOCATIONS WITHIN SAID SPOUTS, (3) A SHUTTLE VALVE AT THE DISCHARGE END OF SAID NOZZLE SELECTIVELY OPERABLE TO KEEP ONE NOZZLE CLOSED WHILE CONNECTING ANOTHER TO AN OUTLET, (4) A FLEXIBLE CONDUIT HAVING AN INLET END ATTACHED TO SAID OUTLET AND AN OPEN DISCHARGE END REMOTE FROM SAID OUTLET, (5) A DISCHARGE NOZZLE ON THE OPEN DISCHARGE END OF SAID CONDUIT HAVING AN UPWARDLY INCLINED DIFFUSER SECTION WITH AN AIR VENT ON THE TOP OF SAID DIFFUSER SECTION ADJACENT ITS DOWNSTREAM END, AND (6) MEANS FOR DELIVERING SAID WET MIX TO SAID DIFFUSER SECTION IN A SOLID STREAM AT A RATE TO PARTIALLY FILL SAID DIFFUSER SECTION AND VENT THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE STREAM. 